Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.